Week of January 26, 2026
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Principal's Message from Dr. Edwards
We had another good week of learning and growth, and I know everyone is astir about the weather system heading our way. The district already sent out the infographic below, but I wanted to include it here as well. I also wanted to share that if we do use the third weather cancellation day that we are allowed by the state to have as eLearning, the fourth and any following will be in the Virtual Learning format which includes live sessions. We will send out some additional information if we do indeed end up needing to go to that format. Otherwise, I want to wish everyone a safe and warm weekend and quality time with your family!
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." -- Simone Weil |
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CogAT Testing: Our district requires additional information on the academic needs and performance of individual children in order to ensure that the school corporation is providing instruction at the appropriate level for each child. All fourth grade students will be administered a universal screener for the CogAT High Abilities Assessment. This screener is a short 30-minute test and will be given in the week of February 9th.
Lost and Found: If your student is missing something since the start of the year, please take a look at THIS LINK where we have pictures of individual items and a form you can submit if you see an item that you recognize.
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Reporting Absences
Please assist us by being sure to call our office at 317-485-3180 or email elizabeth.thomas@mvcsc.k12.in.us if your student is going to be absent. With state reporting, we have to assign specific codes for every absence, and it saves our office staff a lot of time each day if we don’t have to call to follow-up on students that are marked absent by their teachers. And please be sure to provide the documentation required for qualifying absences to be marked as excused in a timely manner.
MV Absence Policy Infographic
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Important Dates
FES PTO Mother/Son Game Night
Saturday, January 24
Registration Required by January 16
School Spelling Bee
Monday, January 26 @ 8a
(will be rescheduled in the event of a delay or cancellation)
First Grade Family Literacy Event
Tuesday, February 3 at 4:00-5:30pm
Family Night at FES Library Book Fair
Wednesday, February 4 at 2:00-7:00pm
Happy Friday!
This week, I started going into 3rd and 4th-grade classrooms for their quarter three lesson. Next week, I will be going into the rest of the 3rd and 4th-grade classrooms. The lesson is about setting academic goals and breaking them down into smaller steps that students can implement. In keeping with the theme of the lesson, starting next week, I will be having different groups of 3rd and 4th-graders eat lunch with me on Thursdays. During lunch, we will talk about things that they can continue and start doing this year to help them transition to their next grade level. These are 1-time lunches and do not repeat weekly.
Below are reminders and information about various programs at FES.
- Fortville Area Resource Mission (FARM) provides weekend food bags to families who are in financial need of getting more food. If you would like to sign up for this, please use this link.
- Please note that by signing up for this, you are agreeing that your student will bring these bags home weekly, in their backpacks.
- Hancock County is looking for all community members 14 years and older to fill out their 2026 Hancock County Community Health Needs Assessment by April 30th. Please see the attached flyer to access the survey.
- TBRI stands for Trust-Based Rational Intervention. We use this framework in our schools. If you are interested in attended TBRI Caregiver Training please fill out the interest survey!
- Any student has the ability to request to come talk/meet with me. All the student has to do is to ask their teacher to come meet with me.
Upcoming events:-
Q3 Classroom Lessons
- 4th: January 20th-30th
- 3rd: January 20th-30th
- 2nd: February 2nd-9th
- 1st: February 10th-19th
- KG: February 20-27th
House Points Update
These students were called to the Success Slide on Friday to be recognized for something from the week (being a great helper, working hard, demonstrating growth in a skill, etc.) Thanks for being valuable contributors to our Viking community!
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MV Reads: News from the Library
Mrs. Jennifer Leavell, FES Teacher Librarian
Our 2026 FES Scholastic Book Fair starts Monday, February 2nd during normal school hours. Students will be able to browse AND shop during their fixed library time. Don't forget that sales tax will be collected at our fair. Here are some quick links to help your family get prepared for the Book Fair:
CLICK HERE for our FES Book Fair Flyer CLICK HERE to volunteer at the Book Fair CLICK HERE to visit our Book Fair website and set up an eWallet for your student to shop at the Book Fair. An eWallet is the easiest way for a student to shop without bringing money to school. Once set up, share the link with friends and family members to contribute to your student’s eWallet.
For more information or questions about the FES Book Fair, contact jennifer.leavell@mvcsc.k12.in.us.
"Be a Substitute Teacher" and MV Employment
Fortville Elementary is a great place to work, and we would love to have you join our team. You can apply on the MV Employment website. We are currently looking for leave coverage a resource teacher.
And we always need substitute teachers! Subs apply through Kelly Education Services (information below).
- To learn more or apply for substitute teacher positions at Mt. Vernon, please contact Kelly Education by completing this Inquiry Form and a recruiter will follow up with you. For questions, please call 800-991-5157, option 2.
- Kelly Services will guide the applicant how to obtain a substitute permit issued by the Indiana Department of Education (~$17) and a background check (~$28).
- Kelly Services will then share a short orientation video that will show you how to choose the jobs of your choice at Mt. Vernon and how to see the incentive offers.
Help Support FES Year-round
Help our school get a share of the money that many of America’s best companies are giving to K-12 education. SchoolStore.com is an online shopping mall where over 400 merchants have agreed to give a percentage of every sale to schools. This includes companies like Walmart, Best Buy, Old Navy, Kohl’s, etc. Just go to the website and then to the merchant websites you normally order from and help us earn rewards. The SchoolStore fundraiser is 100% online so there is NO face-to-face selling, handling money, or delivering products.
Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000177219 to sign up. If you have questions about how to participate, reach out to our office. Once you are registered, invite family, friends and co-workers to support your child and our school.
Parent Resources
To be a chaperone on a field trip or to volunteer in the classroom regularly, you must have a clear background check from the current school year on file with our building (this is separate from any other MV buildings). FES Volunteer Background Check Form
At MV, we have all of our instructional staff trained on TBRI, and we now have a Parent Resource Hub available to our families to access at any time.
Webinars on support and advocacy for parents of High ability students. https://nagc.org/page/webinars
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Second Semester All Pro Dad Meetings:
January 23rd - Optimism
February 20th - Responsibility
March 13th - Patience
April 17th - Determination
May 22nd - Compassion
The FES PTO spirit wear store is always open to help with your FES and MV apparel desires.
LINK for Fortville Elementary Designs LINK for MV Designs
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